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Radio Waves: Gerry McCarthy: Early birds

The traffic gridlock in our cities is a boon for radio: it takes the traditional twice-daily rush-hour audience and smears it across the daily spectrum. People are spending more and more time in their cars. Advertisers and programme planners have long been aware of the value of this captive audience. With traffic reports proliferating on all stations, it is easy to feel left out if your radio doesn’t have a car.

The great daily migration starts earlier each morning. Risin’ Time (RTE R1, Mon-Fri) was named in a more leisurely era, when the average listener was assumed to be barely blinking awake between 5.30 and 7am. These days, presenter Maxi typically begins the day with a slew of text messages from drivers already on the road. The programme is still a blend of easy listening music and cheery chat, but she seems to have altered her approach subtly as her